Is Chess a Sport?

Most people know about chess, a game played on a familiar checkered board with some familiar pieces: a pawn, a rook, a king, a queen, and a knight. The International Olympic Federation defines chess as a sport. However, does this competitive endeavor have the actual potential to be a real sport?

According to the Cambridge dictionary, a sport is “a game, competition, or activity needing physical effort and skill that is played or done according to rules, for enjoyment and/or as a job.” By this definition, chess shouldn’t be considered a sport. Moving little wooden pieces around isn’t physically challenging. As a casual chess player, I believe that chess is not a sport. However, we have to look at both sides of the argument.

The mental strain of chess during competitions does have grandmasters burning calories. Grandmaster Mikhail Antipov burned nearly 600 calories in two hours, and some have claimed that they burned off 6,000 calories or two pounds in a single day while playing. This can happen because of the stress that causes increased heart rate, heavy breathing, and high blood pressure. However, because you burn calories just by living, burning calories on its own should not be considered a sport. An hour of aerobic exercise will burn more calories in a shorter period of time.

Another factor to consider is what separates chess from other “board games.” Chess has dedicated competitions and grandmasters. Strategy is crucial to the game and commonly studied; entire books have been written detailing it. Chess is also used as a metaphor for strategy and planning. The way chess can be both competitive and casual in different situations can theoretically make it a sport. From Ding Liren, the new world champion, to casual players, the intensity greatly varies.

Ultimately, the opinion of whether or not chess is a sport is entirely each person’s own opinion and based on what they define as a sport. If a sport is more about physical exertion, chess shouldn’t be considered one. But if it is more about competition and fun, you could certainly consider chess a sport.